I think I cried myself to sleep. I wouldn't normally, but sometimes I let my emotions build up and I end up releasing them all in one go.

"It doesn't ever click, it's like you always knew from the second you met them, but over time you end up giving in."

I wasn't really familiar with friendship when I was a kid. I never had a best friend, it was normally just a group of people I hung out with. So when I met Theo, I felt something different. Like he was there for me, like I didn't need anyone else. He's my oxygen. Always has been.

*You want me to pick you up again today?*

My phone buzzes while I was brushing my hair.

*I'm good, thanks.*

*

My gear bag sat on my lap as Zoe drove me to school.

"What's the plan today?"

"Well the game's during third class-"

"I meant with Theo and Matt."

"Oh. I don't know. We had this deep conversation but I still don't know what he means. Theo said I shouldn't play with people's feelings but I don't know if it refers to Matt or him."

"He means himself, dumbass." She flicked my forehead. "He didn't say 'don't play with Matt's feelings', he said 'don't play with people's feelings'. People meaning himself."

"You think so?"

"I know so. Now you go and talk to Theo, and if Matt mentions the kiss, tell him it didn't mean anything."

"Got it, thank you."

"See you in a couple hours."

"Bye."

Ok, here we go. I walked into the social area alone, I'm slightly later than usual, due to my stalling, but the sooner first class starts, the better.

"Hey."

"Hey."

Theo and Matt greeted me in sync as they sat both sides of the sofa, a gap left in the middle, just for me. Great.

"Hi." I smiled awkwardly, sitting in between them.

Theo looked tired as fuck. He's not a morning person, but he's never this tired-looking. His head rested on his hand as he leant on the armrest.

Matt on the other hand was beaming. His white smile was on show, and his arm lay on the sofa behind me. I swear to god if he-

His hand fell onto my shoulder, "How are you?"

"Nervous." I said without realising, "-for the game..."

"Don't be, you'll be fine."

God this is hell. "You okay?" I turned to Theo, ignoring the hand on my arm.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He nodded, clearing his voice.

I purposely ignored Matt, twisting slightly in hope that his hand would budge as I turned to Theo. But it didn't.

"Zoe's off work tomorrow..."

"Good- I'll let Mom know."

I needed to get away from both of them. Right now. And I knew exactly how.

"Hey, Jake, right?"

The boy with a basketball spinning on his finger turned around, looking at both the boys beside me before his eyes met mine. "Oh, Camila- hi."

The bell rang during our encounter, even better. "I wanted to talk to you, walk me to class?"

"Oh- um... sure."

I didn't bother turn around to look at Matt and Theo, I just stood up and walked away.

"I just wanted to say thanks again for helping me last week. I heard you're starting the game today."

"Yeah you have a game too?"

"Yep, volleyball."

"Cool."

"So what position do you play? You must be pretty good if they're starting a junior..."

*

Did I just sweet talked a junior into walking me to class so I could avoid two seniors?

Yes I did.

I sat beside Lucy during first class, away from both boys, but that didn't stop me from thinking about them.

"Hey, Camila." Matt caught up to me after class.

"Hey."

"What are you doing later?"

"I'm helping Zoe with something."

"Can I steal you for an hour before you go home?"

"I don't know- we need to talk about..."

"Half an hour for a coffee, so we can talk?"

"Okay." I gave in. Half an hour with him, then I can go and talk to Theo.

"What's up, lovebirds." Joey interrupted, pushing himself in between us as we made our way down the hall. His arm wrapped around both our necks but I shoved him off, smelling smoke off his uniform.

"A little birdie told me someone here is captain of the netball team."

"Co-Captain, volleyball." I corrected him as we entered the classroom.

"Same thing. I'll be watching, I hope you wear those shorts again-"

"Drop it, dickhead." Theo came up behind us, pushing Joey's back, making him almost trip over his feet.

"Damn, DeMarco."

"Sorry." Matt whispered. "Ignore him."

I kept my eyes on the clock, planning ways to avoid, all three boys after class. The bell rang and I made my way over to Katie, leaving the classroom with her so I didn't have to walk alone.

"You okay?"

"Yea, just need to get away from those three."

"The holy trinity." She joked. "The sportsman, smart one and stoner."

We laughed at her nicknames as we rushed to the changing rooms. "You should've seen them in grade school, they practically ran the place like it was their's, everyone wanted to be them or be with them."

"I can imagine."

"Just keep your distance from Joey and Matt, they're still living life like it's fifth grade."

"Mhm." I nodded, that's exactly what I plan on doing.

*

Walking onto the court made me realise that I didn't need to stress about boys right now, I just need to play volleyball.

Coach gave us a pep talk on the side lines, giving us different plan's of action. I tied up my hair and Katie stretched beside me.

"Three musketeers, two o' clock."

I pretended to stretch, turning to look at Matt, Joey and Theo. Matt and Joey sat close to the front of the bleachers - probably so Joey could get a good look at all our boobs - while Theo went further up the stand, sitting beside Zoe, who I hadn't even notice yet.

She greeted me with a wave and I gave her a smile, turning back to Katie. "Don't they have class now?"

"Matt and Theo have a free, and does Joey ever go to class?"

"True."

I checked out the other team, admiring their light-blue and white uniform, which were a lot prettier than our navy and red ones, but as coach likes to say 'it isn't a fashion show'.

I couldn't help but worry about what Zoe's saying right now. The two of them are sat conversing too far away for me to eavesdrop. I squatted down to tie my shoe lace, taking a few deep breaths to calm myself down.

"Let's go girls!"

Katie helped me back to my feet, "Here we go."